Written by Andrea Reviewed by Daniel

8 Hidden Instant Pot Features No One Tells You About (But Should!)

Bought an Instant Pot but feel like you might not be getting the most from your new kitchen gadget? You are certainly not alone! While the instruction manual covers the basics, there are countless unofficial tips and tricks that can transform how you use this versatile appliance.

Whether you are an Instant Pot beginner looking to level up your skills or a minimalist who wants to maximise every function of this multitasking marvel, these eight hidden features will revolutionise your cooking experience. Let us reveal what the instruction manual left out!

Table of Contents

1. The Ingenious Lid Holder Design

Most Instant Pot owners miss this brilliantly simple feature: the handles on newer models are designed to hold the lid upright when not in use. Simply slide the lid into the side handle slot, and it stands perfectly upright without taking up additional counter space.

This clever design is particularly valuable for minimalists who detest kitchen clutter and unnecessary mess. No more awkwardly placing the hot, dripping lid on your worktop during serving!

This feature also comes in handy for storage. Leaving the lid upright allows proper airflow inside the pot, preventing any lingering food odours from developing. A small design element with significant practical benefits!

2. The Pasta Cooking Formula For Perfect Results

Forget guesswork when cooking pasta in your Instant Pot. There is a brilliantly simple formula that works for virtually any pasta shape: take the time listed on the package for traditional stovetop cooking, then halve it.

For example, if the package suggests 10 minutes for al dente pasta on the stovetop, set your Instant Pot for 5 minutes at high pressure. This simple calculation creates perfectly cooked pasta every time, neither mushy nor undercooked.

For busy beginners, this formula eliminates the trial and error often associated with pasta cooking. Minimalists will appreciate having just one appliance that handles pasta perfectly without the need for a colander or separate pasta pot.

3. The Preheat Trick That Saves Precious Time

Here is a pro tip that professional chefs use but rarely mention: turn on the sauté function while you prepare your ingredients. This simple step preheats your Instant Pot, significantly reducing the time it takes to come to pressure once you seal the lid.

For busy Instant Pot beginners, this small habit can shave valuable minutes off your total cooking time. It is the equivalent of preheating your oven before baking, a step that seems minor but makes a substantial difference.

Minimalists who value efficiency will appreciate this time saving technique. Why wait around for the pot to heat up when you could be using that time more effectively?

4. The Thickening Adjustment For Perfect Sauces

When converting traditional recipes to the Instant Pot, many users are surprised to find their gravies and sauces turn out thinner than expected. This happens because the sealed cooking environment prevents evaporation, resulting in more liquid retention.

The simple solution? Increase your thickening agents by approximately 25% when adapting recipes. If your favourite stew calls for 2 tablespoons of flour or cornflour as a thickener, try using 2.5 to 3 tablespoons in the Instant Pot version.

For beginners looking to recreate family favourite recipes, this small adjustment makes all the difference between a watery sauce and that perfect, clingy gravy that makes comfort food so satisfying.

5. The One Pot Pasta Meal Technique

Here is possibly the easiest Instant Pot recipe you will ever make: combine 450g of dried pasta, a 680g jar of pasta sauce, and a jarful of water (simply refill the empty sauce jar). Add any seasonings you like, seal the lid, and cook at high pressure for approximately 9 minutes for shapes like farfalle or penne.

The result? A complete, perfectly cooked pasta meal with virtually no effort. No separate pot for boiling, no colander for draining, and minimal washing up.

This technique is perfect for Instant Pot beginners who want foolproof results with minimal effort. Minimalists will appreciate this streamlined approach to cooking, requiring just one pot and reducing both preparation and cleanup time.

6. The Kitchen Renovation Lifesaver Function

If you are renovating your kitchen or experiencing problems with your regular cooker, your Instant Pot can become an unexpected hero. Its multiple functions allow it to stand in for numerous cooking appliances when your kitchen is partially out of commission.

Use it to sauté vegetables, slow cook stews, pressure cook beans, make rice, and prepare a surprisingly wide variety of meals, all from a temporary cooking station in any room with an electrical outlet.

For minimalists, this reinforces the value of multipurpose appliances that can handle virtually any cooking task. Beginners will discover just how versatile their Instant Pot truly is when they rely on it as their primary cooking tool during home improvements or appliance repairs.

7. The No Peel Egg Hack That Saves Time

Traditional hard boiled eggs can be frustrating to peel, but there is a clever Instant Pot method that eliminates this tedious step entirely. Crack several eggs directly into a heat safe bowl, pour a cup of water into the Instant Pot itself (not the bowl), then place the bowl on the trivet inside.

Cook at high pressure for 5 minutes, and you will have a perfectly cooked “egg loaf” that you can simply chop up for egg salad or sandwiches without dealing with a single shell. This method is particularly useful when preparing large quantities of eggs for gatherings or meal prep.

Beginners who struggle with perfectly peeling eggs will find this technique revolutionary. Minimalists will appreciate eliminating multiple steps from their cooking process, creating less waste and saving valuable time.

8. The Hands Free Cooking Advantage

While not every dish cooks faster in the Instant Pot, what you will always save is active cooking time. Once ingredients are in and the lid is closed, you are free to help children with homework, tackle household chores, or simply relax while dinner practically makes itself.

Unlike stovetop cooking that requires constant monitoring, stirring, and temperature adjustments, the Instant Pot does the work for you after the initial setup. This hands off approach to cooking can transform your daily routine, especially on hectic weeknights.

For busy beginners, this benefit alone makes the Instant Pot worth the investment. Minimalists will value how this single appliance not only replaces several others but also gives you the gift of time, perhaps the most precious resource of all.

Ready to put these hidden features to work?

Your Instant Pot is capable of far more than you might have realised. With these insider tricks, you will soon be cooking with both efficiency and confidence, making the most of every feature this clever kitchen powerhouse has to offer!

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